Dennis the Menace Park Photos

Description

Dennis The Menace Playground is a famous playground in the beautiful city of Monterey. The playground is part of the El Estero Park Complex in downtown Monterey. El Estero Park consists of 45 acres that is packed with things to do, including renting a paddle boat for El Estero Lake. In addition to the playground and the lake there is a lighted ball field, a skate park, a youth center, a dance studio, a large group picnic area, and a snack bar.

Dennis The Menace Playground is open from 10 am to dusk and is free. It is closed on Tuesdays from Sept. to May. Seriously, the playground is behind locked gates - we found that out the hard way one year.

The playground first opened in 1956 and has undergone four renovations with the latest one happening in 2005. It is named after the famous comic strip character created by Hank Ketchum. Mr. Ketchum, along with the Monterey Peninsula Jaycees, donated most of the initial money and time to create the park.

Inside the playground you will find a tot area in addition to the main play area meant for elementary aged kids and younger. There is a statue of Dennis The Menace you can take your picture with, a giant slide, an awesome maze made of hedges with a lookout tower, a 9 foot high climbing wall, Old No. 1285 steam engine which is totally open to climbing, a wonderful suspension bridge, and many, many other things meant to be touched, climbed and explored.

There are two tot and two big kid swings, two giant crooked slides, one big, fast slide, and one roller slide around the playground. The ages 2-5 play structure is a boat theme with two slides. The ages 5-12 play structure has four slides, two metal climbing nets, and a zip line.

Some things I really liked about the playground were that there was only one way in/out, the sand and the playground equipment were pristine, and that is was just parents and kids there. There are lots of benches all around the perimeter for easy supervision. I highly recommend a visit!